Local Food Pantries Get Help Stocking Up

Local food pantry staff say that their shelves have grown bare as demand continues to rise.

The holidays are always a busy time for local food pantries and this year has been particularly demanding. Those who run local food pantries say the number of area families in need has risen sharply over the last several years and every donation helps as they look to supply holiday provisions. With that in mind, Shirey Cadillac in Oak Lawn offered customers and employees a chance to give back to their community this holiday season. The dealership donated hundreds of items to the Village Pantry Coalition in Evergreen Park and Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ in Oak Lawn. Jolene Churak, president of the Village Pantry Coalition, says that the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time when the food supply can dip. Local …

• Photos (2)

Slalom Chicago Runs Online Food Contest for Greater Chicago Food Depository

Consulting Company Uses New Technology to Run Online Food Drive Competition

Editor's Notebook

Local Food Pantry Gets A Boost from Grocery Dash

It's cupboards practically bare, Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ is invited to Lions Clubs' 'supermarket sweep' to replenish community food pantry.

Inspired by a story in Patch about Oak Lawn's food pantries being at an all-time low, the Oak Lawn Raiders Social and Athletic Club wanted do something to help. Enter the Southland's Lions Clubs, who were hosting their first-ever grocery dash, a variation of the old "supermarket sweeps" in the 1950s and 1960s, where crazed couples ran through supermarkets cramming carts with turkeys, steaks, canned goods and TV dinners before the clock ran out. It made for riveting television. The Oak Lawn Raiders bought ten raffle tickets at $10 a pop. If they held the winning number, they would donate the ticket to Pilgrim Faith United Church of Christ, which operates a community food pantry. Kharma was with the Raiders. Members held the winning ticket …

• Photos (3)

Off To the Races: Together We Cope Fundraiser to be Held Wednesday

Local food pantry's "Nite at the Races" event is a winning ticket for fun and goodwill.

It's time to place your bets for an evening of music, food and laughs. Together We Cope’s annual Nite at the Races and Pasta Extravaganza will be held Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Orland Chateau. The fundraiser aids the Tinley Park-based nonprofit organization, which helps families in temporary crisis through a food pantry, resale shop and financial aid for basic expenses. The agency serves families from more than 23 south suburban communities. “The need for our services is greater than ever before," said Karen Moran, fundraising chairwoman at Together We Cope. "It’s not uncommon to serve from 50 to 55 families a day” PLEASE VISIT the Together We Cope listing in the Patch Places directory for more information. Attendees Wednesday will bet on …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)

Together We Cope Pantry Coordinators Ask for Help Stocking Sparse Shelves

The food supply at our local shelter is in dire straits, volunteers say.

Carol Ettema scanned the storage area of the Together We Cope Food Pantry last week and immediately felt uneasy. "I've never seen our food supply so low in all the years I've been here," said Ettema, director of food pantry services for the nonprofit organization. “It’s a combination of greater demand for our services and the current higher cost of food." Together We Cope's mission is to bridge the gap for Southland residents in temporary crisis by providing food, shelter, clothing and help returning to self-sufficiency, according to its website. The organization guides families in more than 20 communities throughout Bremen, Palos, Orland and Worth townships. PLEASE VISIT the Together We Cope listing in the Patch Places directory for more …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (10)